A Potential Bear Market Fractal

It is anticipated the final peak for Supercycle Wave (V) and thus the Grand Supercycle Bull Market will occur in 2022. While it has long been widely held amongst Elliott Wave Practioners that Supercycle Cycle Wave (IV) ended in 1932, and a Cycle Wave I Bull Market occurred  from 1932-1937, I present an alternative in which the entire period from 1929-1949 was a barrier triangle. If correct, this interpretation would explain the failure of the bull market to top in 2000 or 2007, as that period from 2000-2009 would be labeled as an expanded flat correction for Cycle Wave IV, with Cycle Wave V, Supercycle Wave (V), and Grand Supercycle Wave III terminating in 2022.

The projected timing is derived from time ratios of the durations of wave a of (IV) relative to the durations of wave b-c-d-e of Supercycle Wave (IV) as a basis for determining the duration of ensuing waves (b), (c), (d), and (e) of Grand Supercycle Wave IV

Under this scenario, wave (a) would last a Fibonacci 8 years, wave (b) would last a Fibonacci 13 years, wave (c) would last a Fibonacci 13+1 years, wave (d) would last a Fibonacci 13-2 years, and wave (e) would last a Fibonacci 8+1 years. Even assuming a margin of plus or minus 2 years for Fibonacci Durations, the internal wave duration discrepancy from a Fibonacci number of years of the entire structure balances out. Finally, the entire Grand Supercycle bear market would last a Fibonacci 55 years from 2022-2077. 

An Ongoing Correction

Happy New Year. The Intermediate Wave (2) Correction that began on September 2, 2020, despite new all-time highs in the stock market, is still ongoing and has taken the form of an expanded flat. The lack of an impulsive wave structure from the October low supports this interpretation. 

All expectations are for the market to trace out 5 minute waves down into the intermediate wave (2) low sometime in the first quarter. Should the duration of Intermediate Wave (2) equal Intermediate wave (1), timing symmetry points to a low on February 15, 2021. Additionally, on a closing basis, wave c of (2) would be equal to 161.8% of wave a of (2) at 26,401.46. Previous price targets surrounded the 50% and 61.8% retracement range between 22,600- 22,800. While this is still feasible based on Elliott Wave guidelines, it is less likely due to the expanded flat structure of the correction. Nevertheless developments will be monitored closely. Minor wave c is apt to be sharp, in keeping with typical c waves of flat corrections. 

When Intermediate wave (2) completes, Intermediate wave (3) should carry the stock market to new all-time highs. As previously stated, a final top for the bull market is not expected until 2022. 

Intermediate Wave (2) Correction Underway

The Stock Market traced out an extended first wave into the end of April. This has had the effect of extending the entire Intermediate Wave (1) rally since the Primary wave 4 low on March 23, 2020. Intermediate Wave (2) is now due, and should retrace between 50% and 61.8% of the entire rally, as illustrated on the chart below. A 61.8% retracement would also line up with the previous minor wave 2 low, which is a feasible target given that minor wave 5 was relatively short in price. Hence, expect the Dow Jones Industrial Average to find support between 22,600 and 22,800 on a closing price basis. In terms of time, a 50% time retracement of Intermediate wave (1) up from March 23 falls on November 23, 2020.

Of note is the fact that minor wave 3 is shorter in price than minor wave 1, and minor wave 5 is shorter than minor wave 3. It is therefore reasonable to assume this will also be the case for Intermediate waves (3) and (5). This is consistent with the assertion that momentum will wane for quite some time into the final top of the bull market in 2022.

Precious Metals Update

 With all the bullish sentiment prevalent towards Gold and Silver and linear extrapolations out there. It appears to this analyst that both metals are topping out and continuing the bear market that began coincident with the peak in the rate of U.S. inflation in January 1980. Gold moving above the 2011 high was not expected, but it appears to be double topping with that high and staging a dramatic downward reversal into a continuation of the secular bear market that should, if my thesis is correct, draw prices below the 2001 lows at $256.60 and Silver Below the 2001 lows of $4.03. 

Potential Important Timing Symmetry

The Stock Market as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average has rallied over 37% from the    lows of Primary Wave 4 in March. Elliott Wave Analysis suggests the rally from the March 23 low at 18,591.93 should take the market to new all-time highs above the February 2020 high. The current rally should represent at a minimum, the first intermediate wave up of that Primary wave 5, and possibly only the first minor wave of Intermediate wave (1) of the final stages of a centuries long Grand Supercycle bull market. The above notwithstanding, on an intermediate term basis the stock market has completed 5 waves up and is thus due a 3 wave correction.

Potential timing for the low of the imminent corrective wave 2 may be demonstrated from the time symmetry of the cycle degree wave lows of 4/28/1942, and 12/6/1974. A total of 11,911 days elapsed between those two significant lows. The low of the upcoming correction will not be of similar degree as the cycle degree wave lows of 1942 and 1974, but more similar to that of 12/4/1987, a Primary degree wave low. The timing symmetry that is being illustrated does not precisely match wave degree lows, as the upcoming low is only of intermediate or even minor degree, but nevertheless this potential time symmetry is worth pointing out. Should the market recognize such timing, a low would be implied on 7/14/2020. 11,911 Days from 10/19/1987, the absolute closing low of the crash of 1987, is 5/29/2020, too soon to indicate a low. 11,911 days from 12/4/1987, the orthodox low of Primary Wave 4 of Cycle Wave III, is 7/14/2020. It is possible the market could recognize both sets of symmetry, where 5/29/2020 marks the high of wave 1, and 7/14/2020 marks the low of wave 2. The market will dictate the correct answer.

Stock Market Registers Primary Wave 4 Low

The Stock Market Appears to have just registered the Primary Wave 4 low. Below I present an alternate count that illustrates an Extension for Cycle Wave V from December 6, 1974 low of 577.60. 

Supporting evidence for this count emanates from the fact that a channel encapsulates the important peaks of waves 1 and 3, and the lows of waves 2 and 4. This count is presented on an arithmetic scale, which is consistent with the calculations for price targets conducted on an arithmetic basis. While it is still favored that Primary Wave 4 is correcting the Primary Wave 3 advance from October 4, 2011 to February 12, 2020, this alternate count should be entertained. In any case, it appears the stock market has registered a major low, and new all-time highs should be achieved. On a closing basis, Primary Wave 5 would be equal in length to Primary Wave 1 at 33,519.42. Currently it appears this target will be achieved in 2022. The final wave of the bull market would throw over the upper channel line, before reversing into a true bear market. In 2020 there is widespread panic and fear, and it is quite obvious to the public why the stock market is declining and the world appears headed into a depression: The Coronavirus. This is indicative of a panic stock market crash, not a bonafide bear market. It is simply not how long term tops are achieved. In 1929, the bear market begun with a crash, but it was denied by many observers far and wide. Such is not the case in 2020. Most are afraid for what the future holds. Elliott Wave Analysis suggests a bullish outcome for the intermediate term. 

 The final bull market top, and for some time following, during the initial leg of the bear market, there will be denial by many that a bear market has begun, and there will be optimistic justifications for a continuation of the bull market. Until such time as the market does register it's final high, at the present time, the stock market appears to be in an extraordinary bullish position. 

Taking an Elliott Wave Step Back

The stock market appears to be at or near the low of Primary Wave 4. It was foretasted on these pages in November 2019 that a sharp correction would occur for Primary Wave 4. That has now occurred, fulfilling the forecast, albeit later than projected. Nevertheless, the market is now in oversold territory and, it would appear, amidst all the calls in the mainstream media for the end of the bull market that began on this very day 11 years ago, set up to once again fool the majority of traders and reverse to the upside in Primary Wave 5, the final wave of the bull market. Even amidst all the fear over the Coronavirus of an imminent stock market decline and recession, the technicals are painting a different picture, as is to be expected at a low. It is the opinion of this analyst that capitulation has taken hold and a bullish reversal will commence shortly. Currently, the bull market should still be on track to end in 2022, but updates will be provided on these pages to track developments as they occur should the market dictate otherwise. 

Of particular note should be a pattern that, should this count be correct, have remained consistent in this bull market. Primary Wave 2 traced out a Zigzag, and Primary Wave 4 traced out a Zigzag as well. Intermediate wave (2) traced out an expanded flat, and Intermediate wave (4) did so, too. Should this pattern of lack of alternation by corrections of like degree hold, the market should be tracing out a zigzag for Primary wave 4, of which wave (C) appears to be terminating. The next move should be a thrust to new all-time highs in Primary wave 5, to last many months. Fear is dominant currently in the stock market. Undoubtedly by it's terminus this sentiment will be lopsided, and most investors will be bullish and projecting exponential growth in the stock market. That will indeed be a sign the bull market is in it's final stages and a bear market reversal is due.